India Steps it Up! Procurement of Advance Defence Systems in Play
India Advances VSHORADS-NG Procurement to Counter Diverse Aerial Threats
India’s Ministry of Defence has initiated procurement of the next-generation Very Short Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS-NG), designed for all three armed services—Army, Navy, and Air Force—to counter aerial threats like drones, helicopters, and aircraft.
The system, deployable in man-portable single launcher and para-dropped configurations, will serve as a terminal and point defence solution on land and ship-based platforms across high-altitude areas, plains, deserts, coasts, and maritime domains, operating in temperatures from -30°C to 50°C.
The VSHORADS-NG, outlined in a recent Request for Proposal (RFP), includes 48 launchers, 48 night-vision sights, 85 missiles, and a test station, prioritizing indigenous production.
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It aims to replace the Russian Igla and Igla-S systems, with approximately 3,000 launchers currently in service, which succeeded the outdated SA-7. The infrared homing, fire-and-forget missiles will engage targets at ranges from 500 to 6,000 meters, enhancing flexibility against low-flying threats.
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is finalizing its own VSHORADS, with successful February 2025 trials at Chandipur, Odisha, testing low-altitude, high-speed targets mimicking stealthy UAVs.
Involving field operators for the first time, the trials validated weapon readiness and firing accuracy. DRDO’s system, developed with partners like Adani Defence, projects a need for 800 launchers and 4,800 missiles across the services, strengthening India’s air defence amid regional tensions.
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